What is the Difference between Alternating Current And Direct Current
Electricity is the form of energy that we use to enlighten our living areas and to run the machinery of any type. Today, life has become impossible without electricity. The life of every human being is completely dependent on electricity. Every home appliance, all industrial machines, communication and entertainment sources, gadgets, devices and light sources need electricity to perform their respective functions. You can say that life is still without electricity. Alternating Current and Direct Current are the two forms of electricity, but different from each other in terms of production and use. Let’s have a look at the difference between Alternating Current and Direct Current.
Alternating Current
Alternating Current or simply AC is the type of electricity in which electrons flow in a conductor in both directions. Alternating Current was invented by a scientist Nikola Tesla in the late 19th century. The best thing about AC is that it can be transferred over 1000’s of kilometers without any power loss. The frequency of the AC is different in various countries like 50 Hz or 60 Hz. Moreover, the magnitude of the current varies with respect to time. The source of generation of AC is AC generator and it is used in homes and industries by lowering the voltage with the help of transformers.
Direct Current
Direct Current or DC is the type of electricity in which electrons flows just in one direction. Direct Current was invented by Thomas Edison in the 19th century. This is the form of electricity which is difficult to transfer over long distances due to power loss. Moreover, the frequency of DC is zero and it is generated by batteries and it is mostly used in wireless devices or gadgets. The magnitude of DC remains constant.
Alternating Current vs Direct Current
There are lots of differences between Alternating Current and Direct Current. AC is generated by generators with rotating magnets along the wire instead of DC, which is produced by batteries with steady magnetism along the wire. Moreover, it is economical and easy to transfer AC over long distance areas instead of DC which reduces its voltage during transfer over long distant areas. Furthermore, AC current changes its directions in a circuit instead of DC in which current cannot change or reverse its direction. DC is the current of constant magnitude in contrast to AC which is the current of varying magnitude. Similarly, the power factor of AC lies between 0 & 1 instead of DC whose power factor is 1.
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